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Hunting etiquette question

11K views 55 replies 40 participants last post by  Elk  
#1 ·
So here's my question, would you shoot a deer that your friend has been targeting all year, running cams, patterning, scouting every night, running mineral supplements, and basically working all year to produce a better herd and quality bucks? Some other basic info, it is private property that both have permission to hunt, both help each other with setting stands and such. One devotes more time to the pursuit, the other basically data mines for information. The friend has also stated on numerous occassions that he is targeting said buck and wont shoot another instead.
 
#3 ·
You guys better talk about this between you two in case the situation arises.

I look at this way, you both have permission to hunt the same land and if you are working in conjunction with each other to harvest deer, then it comes down to who is in the right spot.

Nobody owns a deer, but if you do whack it, you might want to show up with a case of beer when you show him to your buddy.
 
#6 ·
In actuality, Im the one that does all of the work. I gladly share information, pictures, sightings, etc. I know that I dont own the deer and I would be happy for him if he did, but deep down, if the situatuon were reversed, I wouldn't shoot it.
 
#7 ·
I am in the EXACT SAME situation, honestly if this deer walks by I will drop it without hesitation. I put in all the work, provide all the equipment and scouting. There are no "saves" in deer hunting. A TRUE friend would never ask another to hold off on a shooter IMO
 
#8 ·
yes thinking about it, 4c game chaser is right, there is always a chance that deer , just never shows himself ever again for what ever reason, so i say take the shot whoever is lucky enough to be that person,
 
#9 ·
Friends should work together in hunting a particular deer and celebrate successes of <span style="text-decoration: underline">each other</span> together. If your friend is a me me me, it's not what I would consider a friendship and a rocky road is ahead whether you shoot "his" deer or not. That said, if he put in all the work and you shoot it, expect some animosity. I would have to know the details of your friendship and who did what before answering that question.

I think it is best for you to talk to him about it.
 
#11 ·
When it comes to archery and turkey hunting, i am a secretive sucker....learned to keep my mouth shut and do my own thing even if we hunt the same land I never see anything there
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I have a best friend that purposely hunts my spots while i am away working....fine if i am not coming home...but this year he knew i was coming home and hunting....sure enough he busted out bucks opening morning...tiny piece...so yes, the damage is gunna be a killer...he did it knowing full well "beat me to it"...it is a honey hole but cant be hunted more than a few times a season tops...

Him and another do it yearly....cant stand it...but not my land...i will pull a fast one on em this year and call them when i need help dragging the biggun...i have 3 spots they wont hunt or figure out i am hunting...them busting him out of my spot just makes the others better...
 
#12 ·
mauser, I have learned and started the same path this year. it makes me sad to do it because sharing the hunt and the story is one of my favorite parts, BUT one can only take so much from someone who is their friend......until hunting season. Tough road.
 
#13 ·
I am in the same situation at our camp. We do equal work on plots and stands. My friend actually called me the night before the opener and asked me to pass it,{a 140 inch deer] cause he had his daughters soccer game. I told him I was missing both my sons football games as my wife gave me the OK. Still though I don't know if I would have shot it. I have seen many friendships DESTROYED over the years over a deer!
 
#15 ·
my boyfriend has been scouting the below bucks all summer. Its in a spot that he, his dad and his brother have access to but he is the only one that hunts there. After his dad and brother saw the pics they now want to hunt there as well. My BF is a bit frustrated since he has worked hard scouting them all summer, knows where food is, is scent conscious and will only hunt there if the wind is right. He cannot say the same for his dad and brother, they will hunt no matter what the wind is like. I can see why he is a bit mad since they basically mooched his hard work and now want to kill those deer. Do you think he has a right to be a bit sour?

Here are the 2 bucks my BF is after.




 
#16 ·
Talk about it. Every body is different, but it is important to understand each other feeling in advance. Does he think you are lazy and mooching off from his efforts (In a friendly way)? If so I would pass this year on the buck and if there is that kind of potential for nice bucks in the area I would put in a lot more help with him next year.

I hunt an area that two other guys hunt. We work together with food plots, stand locations, scouting trips, trail cams, cutting brush, planting trees etc. However, because I am retired I probable spent the most time and have the most cam pictures.

However, we share all our pictures, sightings and information among ourselves. My feeling is I will be thrilled if they get the biggest buck in our area. I will help them track, get it out, take pictures and provide any other help they need. I will even help them drink a couple of beers after we get home to hear the story of the fifth or sixth time.

I think that is what buddies are for.
 
#18 ·
My buddy just moved to virginia. We used to hunt all of the time. I would do a lot of the grunt work but inform him on certain aspects of the hunt and how i cam up with my findings. I think instead of looking at it the way you are. It would be worth your while to teach him things and make him as dedicated as you. Think of how much more you could accomplish if you both did homework and put your minds together.

If I am a team with another hunter. I am just as happy if they shoot the buck as if it were me. Here's my point. My main goal is not only to kill a buck but to out smart him and find that spot where he will pass. IF i get that far and the person i tell where to hunt kills the deer. Same as me killing it.

Good luck.
 
#19 ·
Why would you get mad if your family or a good friend killed a nice buck? Sounds selfish to me. I'd be happier than heck if my dad/brother/best friend killed a deer of that caliber. Theres no guarantee that the person targeting him is going to get a shot at him anyways.
 
#20 ·
If you are true friends a deer should not come between you. Did you just neglect the time or did you have a reason. Like family? I have friends that can do all this stuff too however they dont have Baseball from March to October, with Soccer on top of that, and a wife who works 8pm to 4am. If you are putting in the financial help to him there shouldnt be any issues what so ever. Either way good luck to you both.
 
#21 ·
Seems there is always one hunting partner that does more work, puts more time, etc. The guy I hunt with is the slacker. He hunts about 1/2 of what I do and is always using my sightings and information for hunt spots. I am not the jealous type so I don't withhold info from him but it does get a little annoying. Especially when I see a nice buck and then he expects me to take him to the spot to hunt LOL.

But like others said, if you are friends, deer shouldn't come between you. I lost one hunting partner that was also a friend over deer. It's not worth it.
 
#22 ·
Some of you guys need to read all of the posts, as ive answered some of those questions. We both have family/time committments, it's just that I seem to dedicate myself to it. I sharw because I like to share and wont begrudge him if he does. I stated that if the situations were reversed, I wouldnt. Kinda like the hot girl in school that your buddy said he likes, shes off limits.
 
#24 ·
Loose lips sink tight ships. I honestly wouldnt drop him in ar hery but if he was still around in rifle it would be hard to pass him up. It stinks the situation your in. Im secretive about what i see even to close family/friends. The only one i share hunting info with is my father. Other then that i leave it extremely vaugue if someone asks me what im seeing and where.
 
#25 ·
ccall29 said:
Some of you guys need to read all of the posts, as ive answered some of those questions. We both have family/time committments, it's just that I seem to dedicate myself to it. I sharw because I like to share and wont begrudge him if he does. I stated that if the situations were reversed, I wouldnt. Kinda like the hot girl in school that your buddy said he likes, shes off limits.
At least you can make her promise not to tell. But as we have learned the Hot girl can keep a secret it is all those people she tells that can't keep a secret.

Hey could be one there that is bigger????

On more than one occasion I have put a buddy on a buck I was hunting and he got it based on the info./location I provided. I would rather he get it than someone we don't know.

But work it out for now and the future. With the best of efforts by both of you this buck could die of old age. But you just might need each other down the road???

Good hunting/sharing buddies are very difficult to find.